Robert James Rader – Lieutenant Colonel, United States Army

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Coutesy of Bucknell University and The United States Military Academy:

Robert James Rader
No. 13286  •  26 May 1920 – 14 January 1967
Died in Washington, DC, aged 46 years
Interment: Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia

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The faculty of Bucknell University presents this testimony in honor of Lieutenant Colonel Robert James Rader, Assistant Professor of Military Science, who died in Washington, DC, on 14 January 1967, after serving with professional distinction for more than 23 years as an officer in the United States Army.

Robert James Rader was born in Jerome, Idaho, on 26 May 1920. In the summer of 1939, he entered the United States Military Academy at West Point. In 1943, he was graduated from the Academy, receiving a bachelor of science degree and a commission as a Second Lieutenant in Field Artillery. In May of the same year, he was promoted to the grade of First Lieutenant, and, in August 1944, he transferred from his post in Oregon to the European Theater of Operations, where he served until July 1946. He participated in three European Campaigns, in eastern France and the Rhineland, and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the American Defense Service Medal, the American Theater Campaign Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal.

Having returned to a series of command positions in the United States, he then entered Northwestern University to concentrate on the study of electronics, which he continued until September 1948. In January 1949, he was promoted to the grade of Captain, and, in August 1952, he was sent to Korea where, until September 1953, he participated in three military campaigns. For his distinguished services in Korea, he was awarded the first oak leaf cluster to his Bronze Star, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Korean Service medal.

In March 1954, Captain Rader was promoted to the grade of Major. The years from July 1956 to July 1959 were spent in Europe where he was accompanied by his family. Upon his return to the United States, Major Rader attended the Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. In August 1961, he was promoted to the grade of Lieutenant Colonel.

Before he came to Bucknell in August 1966, Lieutenant Colonel Rader had served as Chief, Military Personnel Management Branch, Military Personnel Division, Headquarters United States Continental Army Command, Fort Monroe, Virginia. Upon joining the staff at Bucknell, he was assigned as Assistant Professor of Military Science, Advisor to the Senior Cadet Club, and Commandant of Cadets, the
positions he held at the time of his death.

Lieutenant Colonel Rader is survived by his wife Frances, presently living in Hampton, Virginia; his son Robert, Jr., a graduate of Rice University, currently serving with the Peace Corps in Ethiopia; and his daughter Judy, a student at the College of William and Mary.

To his family and his many friends the members of this faculty express their profound sympathy and present this testimony in memoriam.

Robert James Rader will be remembered by those who knew him well as a man of the highest sense of professional and personal responsibility. His professional dedication was a part of his personal loyalty and human understanding. He was a man with a good story for every occasion, with a keen memory for the humorous details of years of experience. In his work at Bucknell, he was committed to the ideal of encouraging in every way the development of superior officers for the Army. He took great pride in helping those students and colleagues who sought his counsel. He was honest and becomingly humble but outspoken and courageous in the defense of his fundamental loyalties and beliefs. He exemplified the motto of the Military Academy: he was dedicated to Duty; he lived with Honor; and he served his Country. He was truly an officer who sought the gratification that comes only from a life of service.

— Unanimously adopted by the Faculty of Bucknell University

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